Traffic marker



Jan. 18, 1955 c, BATTERSQN 2,699,982

TRAFFIC MARKER Filed Feb. 19. 1951 /6 Clarence K Baffers oh ATTO R N EYS United States Patent 1 2,699,982 TRAFFIC MARKER Clarence K. Batterson, Houston, Tex.; Gladys C. Batterson, executrix of said Clarence K. Batterson, deceased, assignor to Thomas C. Batterson, Houston, Tex.

Application February 19, 1951, Serial No. 211,751 2 Claims. (Cl. 941.5)

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in traffic markers.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved trafiic marker which is so constructed that the same may be used efficiently in permanently marking lanes on streets, roads and parking areas.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved trafiic marker which is of reinforced construction so as to be capable of being formed of plastic material and subjected to vehicular traffic without danger of breakage.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved traflic marker having a substantially concavoconvex body reinforced by radial ribs whereby the marker may be firmly secured to pavement by bonding material and will withstand loads and Wear imposed by contact with vehicles.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved trafiic marker, of the character described, wherein the body has an axial opening for receiving a fastening element or spike for positively fastening the marker to pavement together with openings communicating with the spaces between the reinforcing ribs for venting air, water and excess bonding material upon installation of said marker.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved trafi'ic marker, of the character described, wherein the inner ends of the reinforcing ribs are spaced from one another to establish communication of the spaces between said ribs and with the vent openings whereby flow of the bonding material is facilitated and the filling of said rib spaces is assured.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein an example of the inven tion is shown, and wherein:

Fig. l is a top plan view of a traffic marker constructed in accordance with the invention,

Fig. 2 is an underside plan view of the marker,

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 2, showing the marker secured to pavement, and

Fig. 4 is a view, similar to Fig. 3, taken on the line 4--4 of Fig. 2.

In the drawing, the numeral designates a traffic marker which includes a circular shell or body 11 of substantially concave-convex or dished shape having a smooth, convex exterior or upper surface and a concave underside or lower surface 13. It is preferable for the body 11 to be relatively flat and to have its curved surfaces swung on relatively large complementary arcs. The body is adapted to be formed of hard, non-elastic plastic or other suitable material. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the marker is adapted to be secured to pavement 14, such as streets, roads and parking areas, which has been illus trated as concrete, by a fastening element or spike 15. An axial opening 16 is formed in the body for receiving the spike 15, as will be hereinafter explained. Securing of the marker to the pavement 14 is assisted by suitable bonding material 17 which is in the nature of a mastic or cement which expands upon setting. Although not illustrated, the markers are adapted to be placed in rows for defining trafiic lanes, pedestrian crosswalks, parking lines and safety zones. The markers are used in place of painted lines and are slightly elevated above the surface of the pavement so as to be contacted by vehicles.

As shown by the numeral 18, the external peripheral portion of the underside 13 of the body is flattened to provide a bearing surface for engagement with the pavement. For reinforcing the body, a plurality of spaced,

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radial ribs or members 19 depend from the underside of said body and preferably have straight lower edge portions substantially flush with the flattened edge portion 18 so as to engage the pavement. An annular member 20, in the form of a ring or collar, depends axially from the underside of the body and its bore provides the axial opening 16. Certain of the ribs 19 have their inner ends connected to the collar 20 as shown by the numeral 21, while the inner ends of the other or intermediate ribs terminate short of said collar to provide recesses 22 which are disposed in concentric relation to said collar. Manifestly, the recesses 22 are in free communication with the spaces between the ribs. Relatively small vent openings 23 are provided for the recesses 22 and communicate gig-1 an axial recess 24 formed in the upper surface of the The marker is attached to the pavement 14 by driving the spike 15 through the opening or bore 16 of its axial collar 20. Prior to installation, sufficient bonding material 17 is placed in the underside or concavity of the body to completely fill the same. Thus, the ribs 19 as well as the collar are embedded in the bonding material and said material fills the spaces between said ribs as well as the recesses 22. Due to the provision of the openings 23, any excess bonding material or extraneous matter, such as air or water, is vented. Therefore, the setting and hardening of the bonding material is assured. It is noted that the head of the spike 15 is spaced from the vent openings and does not interfere with the escape of excess bonding material or extraneous matter. Also, the curvature of the underside 13 of the body directs this material or matter toward the vent openings.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A traffic marker including, a circular relatively flat body of plastic material adapted to be fastened to a pavement and having a convex top and a concave underside, an annular collar extending axially from the unders de of the body and having a bore for receiving a fastening element, spaced radial ribs depending from said body underside and extending from the external periphery thereof to the collar for supporting and reinforcing said body and its collar, the ribs providing unobstructed radlal channels therebetween, the channels being adapted to be filled with bonding material to bond said body to a pavement, said body having openings between the inner ends of its ribs in concentric relation to said collar and communicating with the inner ends of said channels to vent excess bonding material and extraneous matter during 111- stallation of the marker, and additional spaced radial IlbS intermediate the ribs connected to said collar, the lntermediate ribs extending from said body periphery and being spaced from said collar, said connected IlbS and vent openings providing unobstructed recesses at the inner ends of said intermediate ribs in communication with the vent openings and spaces between said intermediate ribs so as to facilitate the flow and even distribution of the bonding material.

2. A traffic marker as set forth in claim 1 whereln the lower edge portions of the ribs are substantially flush with the undersides of the collar and periphery of the body.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,736,830 McKee et al. Nov. 26, 1929 1,952,471 Stern et al. Mar. 27, 1934 2,180,105 Farrell Nov. 14, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS 833,680 France July 25, 1938 OTHER REFERENCES Modern Plastics, Street Marking Costs Cut, page 159, January 1950, vol. 27, issue No. 5. 

